Comb-cleaning pick construction

ABSTRACT

A combination hair comb and comb cleaning pick in which the hair comb is formed with a body portion and a tooth portion having a plurality of spaced teeth. The body portion is provided with attaching means for removably securing a comb pick with respect to the comb. The comb pick comprises a handle element carrying a plurality of spaced teeth, dimensioned to fit between the teeth of the comb. The attaching means for the pick on the comb body are formed preferably by a molded recess in the body in which the pick is removably seated. An overhang over the bed of the recess secures the pick in the recess.

United States Patent Norman 1 1 July 29, 1975 COMB-CLEANING PICK CONSTRUCTION [76] inventor: Emil P. Norman, 339 Concord Ave., Primary Exammer c" McNel" Bronx, NY. 10454 [22 Filed: Nov. 8, 1973 [571 ABSTRACT Appl. N0.Z 413,904

A combination hair comb and comb cleaning pick in which the hair comb is formed with a body portion and a tooth portion having a plurality of spaced teeth. The body portion is provided with attaching means for removably securing a comb pick with respect to the comb. The comb pick comprises a handle element carrying a plurality of spaced teeth, dimensioned to fit between the teeth of the comb. The attaching means for the pick on the comb body are formed preferably by a molded recess in the body in which the pick is removably seated. An overhang over the bed of the recess secures the pick in the recess.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures COMB-CLEANING PICK CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of hair combs and more particularly to an improved hair comb provided with a pick facilitating the cleaning of the comb.

The conventional comb comprising a body element arranged adjacent a toothed portion having a plurality of spaced teeth must be periodically cleaned to remove any debris entrained between the teeth as a result of use of the comb.

Conventional tooth cleaning is generally accomplished by washing the comb, usually by first soaking the comb in a soap or detergent bath to soften any aecumulated debris, and then rinsing the comb under a stream of water to dislodge any degris remaining.

Where the teeth of a comb are widely spaced, this conventional cleaning action usually suffices. However, where the teeth of a comb are closely spaced, as for example in connection with fine tooth combs, or where the debris has become encrusted between the comb teeth. washing does not always provide desired cleaning action, so that it is necessary to provide some mechanical means for picking between the teeth spaces.

Some have used pins. needles or other pointed objects for this purpose, while others have employed stiff bristled brushes. Where a brush is used, the brush teeth unfortuately deteriorate due to the mechanical force to which they are subjected as a result of being forced between the comb teeth. Where a needle or pin is used, the operation becomes relatively tedious, and is highly inefficient in that many spaces are often missed in the cleaning action.

So called comb cleaners formed with rigid spaced cleaning teeth have proven inefficient in that the spacing between the comb cleaner teeth do not coincide with the spaces on the large variety of combs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION It is with the above considerations in mind that the present improved combination of a hair comb with a cleaning pick has been envolved providing a comb pick which is removably secured on the comb body and provides means for rapidly and effectively dislodging any debris in the spaces between the comb teeth.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide a combined hair comb and cleaning pick combination in which the cleaning pick is specifically designed for cleaning the comb with which it is combined and the pick removably secured to the comb body so that it is available for use when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved comb-cleaning pick construction in which the comb body is formed with cleaning pick attaching means which may readily be formed by conventional plastic molding techniques.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hair comb-cleaning pick combination in which the cleaning pick is securely maintained in position with respect to the comb without interfering with comb function.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved comb cleaning pick simple of manipulation, and capable of withstanding the mechanical stresses to which it is normally subjected.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a comb as conventionally with a comb body and a tooth area having a plurality of spaced teeth. The comb body is provided with pick attaching means in the form of a recess shaped and dimensioned to engage and retain a comb pick positioned thereon. The comb pick is formed with a handle element. with a plurality of spaced teeth dimensioned to fit between the spaces of the comb teeth. along with relatively shorter lateral guard teeth minimizing lateral flexure of the pick teeth to increase the strength thereof.

An important feature of the invention resides in the formation of the retaining means on the comb body as a recess with a flanged overhang spaced from the bottom of the recess, and a die passing opening extending into the recess from the opposite surface of the comb body to permit mold withdrawal from beneath the overhang, thereby facilitating molding of the comb with the recess.

Another feature of the invention resides in the formation of the pick teeth with a rounded contour extending from a flat surface to provide a relatively rigid picking point.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of guard teeth on the pick to minimize lateral flexure of the pick teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear concise and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a top plan view of a combined comb and cleaning pick made in accordance with the teachings of the invention. with the comb illustratively shown as a fine tooth comb. and the pick shown in position in the retaining recess formed on the comb body:

FIG. 2 is a plan view in enlarged detail of a comb cleaning pick of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. I through the comb and comb pick;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 1(with the pick removed) showing the longitudinal contours of the pick retaining recess;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 1 through the comb body (with the pick removed) showing the transverse contours of the pick retaining recess;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 2 and through an enlarged detail of the toothed portion of the comb of FIG. 1, showing the engagement of the pick teeth with the comb teeth;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of the pick as shown in FIG. 2, illustrating means for increasing the flexibility of the side walls of the pick handle to insure elastic retention of the pick in the comb body recess;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line 88 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed plan view of a combcleaning pick combination showing another form of pick and pick retaining recess;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the details of interlock of the cleaning pick in the recess in the FIG: 9 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring more particularly to the drawings, like numerals will be employed to designate like parts. As illustratively shown in FIG. I, the comb-cleaning pick combination comprises a comb l and cleaning pick 35 removably held thereby.

The comb as illustratively shown comprises a comb body 12, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 having a toothed portion 14 extending along the longitudinally extending edges of the comb body. A conventional fine tooth comb is illustratively shown having toothed portions 14 arranged on opposite sides of the comb body 12. As is apparent to those skilled in the art, the comb 10 is formed with a body and teeth of a relatively flat configuration, with the teeth 16 in the tooth portion 14 arranged at a spaced distance apart, with the teeth 16 tapering towards their free edge, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The pick retaining recess 18 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 is formed in the body 12 of comb 10. Pick retaining recess 18 is contoured in plan view as illustrated in FIG. 1, and longitudinal section, as shown in FIG. 4. As seen in plan view in FIG. 1, the recess is formed with a portion having walls tapering towards each other in a trapezoidal configuration near one end of the recess. The lower surface or bed 20 of the recess 18 is provided with a lower flat portion 22; and inclined portion 24; as best seen in FIGv 4.

Recess overhang 28 is provided to extend over the bed 20 of recess 18, with the overhang 28 extending over a relatively small portion of the recess bed. To facilitate molding of the recess overhang 28, die passing apertures 30, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 are formed beneath the overhang 28 extending from the bed of the recess through the body of comb 10. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,'by virtue of the provision of these die passing apertures 30, a die insertment can be extended through the apertures to facilitate molding of the comb utilizing a simple two part mold, one mold half contoured to form the upper comb half and recess, and the other mold half contoured to form the lower comb half with the overhang formed between the die insert and upper mold half. The die apertures 30 best seen in FIG. 1 are of a length corresponding to the length of the overhang 28.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 6, the overhang 28 is most readily formed by shaping the cross-section of the recess 18 in which the overhangs 28 are provided of a trapezoidal configuration, as best seen in FIG. 3. The side walls of the recess remote from the overhang are vertical, as best seen in FIG. 5.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 1, comb body 12 may be provided with an aperture 32 to facilitate storage, or hanging of the comb on a display rack for sale.

The pick 35 illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is formed with a trapezoidal configuration in plan as illustrated in FIG. 2 contoured to fit within the trapezoidal portion of recess 18 beneath the overhang 28. It is preferred that the side wall 37 of pick handle 39 also be angled to form a trapezoidal configuration in crosssection so as to engage between the inclined overhang 28, as best seen in FIG. 3. Finger engaging ridges 41 are preferably formed on handle 39 to facilitate manual gripping of the pick handle. To facilitate displacement of the pick 35 from the recess, a fingernail engaging indent 43 is provided on the pick handle, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Pick cleaning teeth 44 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 extend from an end of the pick handle 39, with the cleaning teeth 44, of a thickness permitting their insertion into the spaces between comb teeth 14. It is preferred that the cleaning teeth 44 be spaced a distance apart equal to the distance between the spaces between comb teeth 14 so that in use each comb tooth space will be entered by a cleaning pick tooth 44. Cleaning teeth 44 are contoured, as best seen in FIG. 6 with substantially planar top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface shorter than the bottom surface, and an arcuate connecting surface 45 between top and bottom forming a tooth point 46.

Guard teeth 48 are provided on the pick handle 39 at the lateral extremities of the pick teeth 44 and serve to limit lateral flexure of the pick teeth.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pick handle 35 of FIG. 2 is modified by the provision of elongate slots 50 extending along the sides of the handle. The handle molded of a relatively elastic material with the openings 50 permit flexure of the side edges 52 of the pick handle so as to provide for a springing engagement of the pick in the comb body recess 18.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pick and recess are modified as illustrated with a recess formed in the comb body 12 of a circular configuration in plan view. A stud 92 is positioned, preferably with slight eccentricity in the recess 90, and the upper end of the stud 92 is formed with an overhang 94 extending about a portion of the periphery thereof. A die passing opening 96 as best seen in FIG. 10 is provided in the bed or recess 90 underlying the overhang 94 to facilitate the molding of the overhang with a two part mold as above described.

The pick employed in this embodiment of the invention is provided with a handle portion 97, as best seen in FIG. 9 contoured in plan view with undercut finger grips 98, and circular finger engaging ridges 99. A central stud receiving opening 100 is formed in the pick handle 97 dimensioned to accommodate stud 92 extending up from the bed or recess 90, and key opening providing an overhang passage 102 is arranged concentrically with the stud opening 100. A recessed arcuate seat 104 is formed in the top surface of pick handle 97 extending around the edge of stud opening 100 to slidingly accommodate the overhang 94 to permit the pick handle to be rotated about the stud after the overhang 94 has been passed through overhang passage 102. The pick teeth on the FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiment are like those the other embodiments described.

Operation In use, the aforedescribed combination comb and cleaning pick serves to provide the structure in which the user of the comb will always have available a cleaning pick for cleaning the comb.

In use, the pick is removed from its pick retaining recess by engaging the pick handle to displace same from the recess in the comb body, thus freeing the cleaning pick for use. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the pointed edges 46 of the pick teeth 44 are engaged between the comb teeth 14, exerting a combing action to displace any debris accumulating between the comb teeth.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, removal of the pick from the pick retaining recess 18 is accomplished by first engaging a fingernail engaging slot 43. or by applying finger pressure to the ridges 41 to displace the pick handle from its frictional engagement beneath overhang 28.

In using the FIGS. 7 and 8 embodiment, similar manipulation is performed, it being recognized that there will be greater frictional engagement between the pick handle and the side walls of the recess due to the flexing action of the side walls 52 of the pick handle.

In using the FIG. 9 embodiment of the invention, it will be necessary to apply finger pressure to the finger ridges 99 on the pick handle 96, rotating the pick handle about the stud axis to bring the overhang passing opening 102 into alignment with the overhang 94 to thereby permit the pick to be slid axially along the stud 92 to effect removal of the pick from the recess 90. Where the stud 92 is eccentric with respect to the center of circular recess 90, it will be appreciated that the eccentricity is relatively slight, and is intended to provide a frictional locking action upon rotation of the pick handle in the recess due to the frictional engagement between the end of the handle and the recess side walls.

With all of the embodiments of the invention, return of the pick to a storage position is accomplished by reversing the above steps to re-position the pick in the comb body recess.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by forming the recess overhang over an opening in the opposite face of the comb body, molding may be accomplished by a simple two part die, since a lower die member may be inserted through the opening to match with an upper die member contoured to form the desired overhang.

It is thus seen that a simple combined hair comb and comb cleaning pick has been provided which may readily be produced by conventional plastics molding techniques, and provides a simple unitary structure which may readily be mounted for display or carried by the user.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination comb-cleaning pick comprising: a comb having a comb body; a plurality of spaced combing teeth extending from said comb body; a pick member selectively separable from said comb, said pick member having a plurality of pick teeth spaced and dimensioned to fit between the combing teeth of said comb; said comb body formed with a pick retaining recess dimensioned to accommodate said pick member in said recess for detachably retaining said pick member; said recess formed with a pick seating bed having a flat portion spaced from the top surface of said comb body to seat said pick member in said recess. and an overhang lying over said bed, said overhang engaging said pick to detachably retain same in said recess.

2. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which a die passage hole is extended from said recess through said recess bed beneath said overhang to permit molding of said comb in a two part mold.

3. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said pick and a portion of said recess are of a trapezoidal configuration in crosssection, with the narrower portion of the trapezoidal cross-section of said recess forming said overhang whereby said pick may be wedged into said recess.

4. A configuration comb-pick as in claim I in which said pick is molded of a relatively resilient material; and spring sidewalls are provided on said pick by an opening in the pick adjacent the sidewalls.

5. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said recess is circular in plan view; a stud in said recess; an overhang on a portion of the stop of said stud; and said pick is contoured with an arcuate portion engaging a side of said recess: and a stud receiving hole in said pick permitting mounting of said pick on said stud in said recess.

6. A combination comb-pick as in claim I in which said pick member is formed with a plurality of finger engaging ridges to facilitate manual gripping of said pick. 

1. A combination comb-cleaning pick comprising: a comb having a comb body; a plurality of spaced combing teeth extending from said comb body; a pick member selectively separable from said comb, said pick member having a plurality of pick teeth spaced and dimensioned to fit between the combing teeth of said comb; said comb body formed with a pick retaining recess dimensioned to accommodate said pick member in said recess for detachably retaining said pick member; said recess formed with a pick seating bed having a flat portion spaced from the top surface of said comb body to seat said pick member in said recess; and an overhang lying over said bed, said overhang engaging said pick to detachably retain same in said recess.
 2. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which a die passage hole is extended from said recess through said recess bed beneath said overhang to permit molding of said comb in a two part mold.
 3. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said pick and a portion of said recess are of a trapezoidal configuration in cross-section, with the narrower portion of the trapezoidal cross-section of said recess forming said overhang whereby said pick may be wedged into said recess.
 4. A configuration comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said pick is molded of a relatively resilient material; and spring sidewalls are provided on said pick by an opening in the pick adjacent the sidewalls.
 5. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said recess is circular in plan view; a stud in said recess; an overhang on a portion of the stop of said stud; and said pick is contoured with an arcuate portion engaging a side of said recess; and a stud receiving hole in said pick permitting mounting of said pick on said stud in said recess.
 6. A combination comb-pick as in claim 1 in which said pick member is formed with a plurality of finger engaging ridges to facilitate manual gripping of said pick. 